EPISODE 158 - Brotherly Love

 Bobby walks into the living room at Southfork early the morning after Christmas.  He pauses for a moment and looks at the tree.  A smile comes over his face as he remember the wonderful, and peaceful, Christmas the family had just been through.  Valene Ewing walks into the room.  Bobby's back is to her, so he doesn't see her.  Val watches her brother-in-law as Bobby walks to the tree, looking at each ornament.  Finally, she walks over to him.

"You really do love Christmas time, don't you?"  Val asks.

 

"Yes, I do.  It's like that old song says, it's the most wonderful time of the year.  It's about the ONLY time this family itn't embroiled in some kind of fight or drama, and the only time we all come together like this."

 

"I know,"  says Val.  "I love it, too."

 

"Val, I'm really happy that you and Gary and Bobby were able to be here.  It means a lot to me that you guys came."

 

"Well, we spent so many years apart from the family.  Estranged, that, it really nice feels good to be included in holidays and family events."

 

"Yeah,"  says Bobby.  "I wish it could've been this way all along."

 

"Well, you know why," Val says.

 

"Yes, I do.  Because of J.R.,"  Bobby says, noticing an expression on his sister-in-law's face at the mention of J.R.'s name.  "Val, you still resent him, don't you?  Even after all these years, and even though he's gone now?"

 

"Bobby I'm sorry.  But J.R. took something from me.......from me, Gary, AND Lucy.......that none of us can ever get back.  Gary and I were kept apart for seventeen years, and we didn't even get to raise our own daughter, and that was all because of J.R."

 

"If it's any consolation, I think in later years he came to regret what he did."

 

"Well it's NOT,"  Val snaps.  "Whether he regretted it or not, nothing can ever make up for the hell that man put my family through.  All the years I missed out on with my husband and especially my daughter."

 

"Val, hangin' on to this kind of anger and hate against a dead man is only hurting you," Bobby says.  "And it's pointless."

 

"Well it's MY anger to hold on to,"  Val says.  "Bobby, I love you very dearly.  But I HATED J.R. for what he did to me, and nothing will ever change that.  It was because of him that Gary felt like he couldn't even come back for years and years and be a real part of his own family.  It was because of J.R. that my two younger children never had a real relationship with their family or with their grandmother until they were teenagers."

 

"Maybe part of that choice was yours, and Gary's."

 

"What?"  Val asks, shocked.  

 

"Val, J.R. was gone.  For five years he was in Europe, and you and Gary only came here to visit once in those five years.  You could've come back here if you'd wanted, but you didn't.  Was it that you were still so angry and bitter over what happened to you here, that you couldn't stand to set foot on Southfork even after all those years had passed?"

 

"Alright you wanna know the truth?"  Val angrily asks.  "You're absolutely right.  Not only did I hate J.R., but I hated this place, too.  For years I hated the memory of Southfork, and maybe I even resented the rest of this family.  You and even Miss Ellie.  Did any of you EVER do anything to stop J.R.?  When he drove Gary away from here when we were first married and Lucy was a baby, did Miss Ellie try and stop him?  Bobby, I loved your Mama very much, but, maybe J.R. wasn't the only one to blame for me losing my daughter."  In tears, Val turns and starts to leave the room.

 

 

"Val, wait,"  Bobby calls after her, but an emotional Val continues out of the room, rushing past a stunned Gary, who is standing in the doorway, having overheard his wife's tirade.  The two brothers exchange looks, then Gary turns and goes after Val.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jimmy's room....

In his room down the hall, Jimmy is tossing and turning, his sleep continuing to be haunted by nightmares of what Katelyn Spencer had done to him months ago.  Jimmy's dreams are tormented, seeing Katelyn taunting him, seeing the drab darkness of that basement, feeling the cold steel bars of the cage that kept him confined for weeks.  "No," he moans out in his sleep, softly at first, then, a few seconds later he lets out a much louder "NO!  NO, DON'T!!"

 

Meanwhile, down the hall, as Bobby leaves the living room, Alex walks into the room.  Hearing cries and moans of "NO!  DON'T"  coming from Jimmy's bedroom down the hall, Alex pauses and listens, then slowly makes his way down the hall, again pausing outside of his cousin's door.  "Please......please, don't......"  He hears Jimmy call out.  Concerned, Alex opens the door and  finds Jimmy tossing and turning in bed, obviously having a terrible dream. 

 

"Jimmy?"  Alex calls out to him.  

 

"NO!"  Jimmy again cries out in his sleep.

 

Alex walks over to the bed.  "Hey, Jimmy,"  he says, touching his cousin's arm and shaking him.  "Jimmy?"

 

Suddenly, Jimmy wakes up and sits upright in bed, startling Alex.  Jimmy is breathing heavily and drenched in sweat.  Confused, he looks around the bedroom for a moment, then sees Alex standing over him.

 

 Christopher is working on a fence at the ranch later in the morning when his cousin Bobby II walks out to the pasture and approaches him.  "Hey,"  Bobby II says.  "Need some help there?"

 

 

 

 

 

 

"Sure, if you want," replies Christopher.  "Just grab a hammer."

 

 

 

Bobby II smiles as he picks a hammer up from the ground beside the fence.  "Little Jacob really loved that colt you and Courtney gave him for Christmas huh?"

 

"Yeah, he seemed to."

 

"Chris, is something wrong?"  Bobby II asks.  "You seem a little upset.  Something happen since yesterday?"

 

 

 

 "Chase Gioberti called last night,"  Christopher replies.  "He wanted to wish Jacob a Merry Christmas, but, Jacob was already in bed.  He told Courtney he was gonna call back today, and he also said he wants to come and see Jacob soon."

 

"So, Jacob knows that Chase is his father?"  Bobby II asks.

 

"He knows that his father lives in California, and that his name is Chase.  That's all he knows.  He's never met Chase, but he has had some questions about him."

 

"And that bothers you."

 

"Yeah.  Damn right it bothers me,  For the past few months, Courtney and I have made wonderful progress with Jacob.  Bobby, when we first brought that little boy home after that ordeal in California, he was so quiet, so withdrawn.  He was seriously traumatized by what Adam Reed had done.  It took us a while to get him to open up and even talk to us, and he still hasn't REALLY talked to us about his life with the Reeds or anything else."

 

"You've been taking him to see a therapist, right?"

 

"Yeah.  Yeah, Dr. Ryan Benson.  I went to school with him.  Ryan has been great with Jacob.  He's gotten him to open up some.  In two months, Jacob went from being this extremely quiet kid who barely spoke at all, to this little boy who not only talks, but he smiles.  That's something he never did his whole first month here."

 

"Well, it sounds like Jacob is doing great now,"  says Bobby II.  "He's making real progress.  So what is it you're afraid of?"

 

"What makes you think I'm afraid of anything?"  Christopher asks.

 

"Well, you're angry about Jacob's father calling and wanting to see him.  Are you afraid of Chase Gioberti seeing Jacob?"

 

"No, I'm not afraid.  I'm just........alright, you wanna know the truth?  Maybe I AM a little afraid, not only of Jacob being confused to the point of it undoing all the progress he's made if he sees Chase.  And I'm also afraid that if..........if Chase sees Jacob then he'll go back on his promise to hold off on his custody suit."

 

"You afraid of losing Jacob?"  Bobby II asks, taking off his cap.  

 

"I don't see that happening.  I don't see a judge turning around and giving custody of a child to a father he doesn't even know, when Courtney and I have provided him with a loving, stable home and a good family."

 

"Chris, there's more ways of losing someone than just physically,"  Bobby II says.  "You love being Jacob's father, that's obvious.  I saw the way you were with him on Christmas Eve and yesterday, watching him with that colt you bought him.  I think you're afraid that if Jacob does get to see his biological father, then he might like Chase, maybe even come to love him."

 

"So when did you go to school to become a psychologist?"  Christopher asks.

 

"You telling me I'm wrong?"  

"No.  No, I'm not,"  replies Christopher.  "Because you're not wrong.  I do love being that little boy's father.  I love him.  I loved him even before Courtney and I got custody and brought him home.  So, yeah, you're right.  I love being a Dad.  Bobby, for the FIRST time in my life, I finally have everything I've always wanted.  I have a beautiful wife, and I have a kid.  But....."  Christopher pauses.

 

"But what, Chris?"

 

"But what does it say about me as a man and as a person that I don't want Jacob's real father to be a part of his life?  That I want that role of father all to myself?  What kind of a person does that make me?"

 

"A normal one.  You're afraid of losing that little boy's love to his real father, but Chris, I don't think you have anything to worry about there.  Look, I don't know Jacob that well yet, but, from what I saw during Christmas, you have a pretty solid little family here."

 

"Yeah one that's built on quicksand,"  Christopher blurts out without realizing it until he hears the words come out of his mouth.

 

"What do you mean by that?"  Bobby II asks.

 

Before Christopher can say anything, they see Courtney's car driving out to the pasture.  The car comes to a stop beside them and Courtney gets out.  "Hi," she says.

 

"Hi,"  replies Bobby II.

 

"Bobby, would you mind if I talked to Christopher alone for a few minutes?"

 

"Not at all.  I'll just be at the stables.  Give me a yell when you guys are done talking, and I'll come back and help with this fence."

 

"Thank you," Courtney says as her cousin-in-law walks away.  After a few seconds, she walks over to her husband. 

  "Christopher, I know you're upset with me right now because I told Chase that he could talk to Jacob today, and that he could possibly come here and see Jacob sometime soon, and I'm sorry for that, but I didn't feel like I had any other choice.  We need to keep the peace with Chase right now.  If we let him have some contact with Jacob, then maybe he'll reconsider taking us to court to gain custody.  And maybe......"

 

"Maybe this whole mess will just go away?"  Christopher asks.  

 

"The last thing us or Jacob needs is another custody battle.  Especially with Chase.  If the truth ever comes out that I lied about Chase being Jacob's father.........Christopher, we could lose him."

 

"I know.  That scares the hell out of me, too.  I hate the fact that we were put in this situation to begin with."

 

"So do I,"  says Courtney.  "Looking back, it was a pretty terrible idea saying that Chase was Jacob's father.  If I'd had any sense, I would've just said that I didn't know who the father was or where he was.  If I'd just done that, then we wouldn't be in this mess."

 

"It's no good to say what we should've done.  We can't change it.  All we can do now is live with it and try and deal with Chase Gioberti as best we can."

 

"Christopher, I'm so sorry."

 

"Sorry for what?"  Christopher asks.

 

"That I got you into this."

 

Christopher tosses his hammer onto the ground.  "Courtney, you didn't get me into anything that I don't wanna be in.  I love you, and I love Jacob.  You two are my family.  I've told you this before.  I'm in this for the long haul, and whatever happens........we're gonna face it TOGETHER.  If we have to deal with Gioberti, then we'll do it together. Agreed?"

 

Courtney looks at her husband and smiles.  "Agreed.  I'm gonna let you get back to work."

 

"I love you,"  Christopher says, kissing her.

 

"I love you, too.  I'll see you when you get back to the house."

Christopher nods and smiles.  Courtney returns to her car and gets in.  Christopher watches as his wife drives back toward the house.

Pamela's apartment....

 

 

Pamela walks into the living room of her apartment and puts on her earring just as her doorbell rings.  She walks to the door and opens it.  

 

"Hi,"  Tripp says, walking into the apartment with little Hunter.

 

"Hi, baby,"  Pamela says, picking her son up.  "Did you have a good time at Daddy's today?"

 

"Yes,"  the child answers.

 

"Of course he had a good time,"  Tripp says.  "Hunter always has a good time with me, right, buddy?"

 

"Yes,"  the little boy again replies with a smile.  

 

Pamela puts the child down.  "Why don't you go on into your room, and Mommy will be there in a few minutes, okay?"

 

"Hey, come here before you go,"  Tripp says, kneeling down.  "Give me a hug."

 

The 2-year-old walks over and hugs his father, then Tripp smiles as his son turns and runs out of the room.

 

"Hey, man,"  Justin says, passing Hunter in the hall as he walks into the living room.  Justin enters the room and he and Tripp exchange angry looks.

 

 

"So, what is this guy living with you now, Pamela?"  Tripp asks.

 

"That's none of your business,"  says Justin.

 

"The home my son lives in will ALWAYS be my business, Ewing.  And if you have a problem with that, then I suggest you hit the road."

 

"Tripp, stop right there,"  says Pamela.  "You might as well get use to Justin being around, because he's going to be around from now on. We're engaged, and we're going to be married soon."

 

"You gotta be kidding me,"  Tripp says.  "You're actually gonna marry this guy?  ANOTHER Ewing?  Not only that, he's the brother of one of your exes and the cousin of another.  What is it about these Ewing men that keeps pulling you in?"

 

"Justin and I love each other, and he's been really good to me and the boys.  It's as simple as that."

 

"You really think John Ross is just gonna let this marriage happen?  And if it does happen, you think he or Cliff are gonna let the two of you live in peace?"

 

 "Our marriage is none of their business,"  Justin says.  "Just like it's none of your business."

 

"If my son is gonna be continually around a man I disapprove of, then it damned well IS my business,"  Tripp.

 

"Hunter ADORES Justin, and Justin adores both Hunter and Randall,"  says Pamela.  "The only reason you disapprove of Justin is because of his last name."

 

"I don't trust him or any Ewing around my son."

 

"Oh, do you know how ridiculous that sounds?"  Pamela angrily asks.  "You're becoming more and more like my father every day, and that makes me thankful that you left me when you did.  Because now I have a man who loves me, loves BOTH of my boys, accepts me for who I am, and who doesn't hold the fact that I was RAPED against me the way that you did."

 

"I never held the rape against you,"  Tripp says.

 

"The hell you didn't.  You never wanted to touch me after you found out Scott Van Buren had raped me, and you tried to make me choose between my unborn son and you."

 

"I just couldn't understand how you could stand to carry and give birth of the child of the man who raped you!"  Tripp yells.

 

"What kind of a man are you, McKay?"  Justin asks.  "Giving Pamela the choice between having an abortion, or saving her marriage?"

 

"You stay the hell out of this!"

 

"Thank God I found out what kind of a man you really are!"  Pamela says.

 "You know what?  I had hoped that the two of us could co-exist for the sake of our son, and that eventually you'd get tired of John Ross,, Jr. here, but I see right now that this isn't gonna work out,"  Tripp says.  "I think maybe we should re-evaluate our custody arrangement."

 "What the hell do you mean by that?"  Pamela asks.

 

"Just what it sounds like.  I didn't wanna do this, Pamela, but you leave me no choice.  If you marry this guy, then I'm gonna have to take you back to court and get custody of Hunter.  And I'll use any means at my disposal."

 

"You son of a bitch,"  says an angry Justin as he starts toward Tripp.  Pamela puts her hand on Justin's chest to stop him.

 

"Oh, let him come on, Pamela,"  Tripp says.  "If he hits me, it would just strengthen my case.  It would prove that Justin Ewing is prone to violence and unfit to be around my son."

 

"Get out!"  Pamela angrily says with gritted teeth.  "GET OUT, YOU BASTARD!"

 

"I'm going,"  Tripp says.  "But the next time I come over here to pick up my son........this guy better not be here."  Tripp gives both Pamela and Justin an angry look, then leaves the apartment.

 

Pamela begins to cry after he  leaves.  Justin puts his arms around her.  "I'm sorry."  Justin says.  "You should've just let me take that jerk's head off."

 

"All that would've done is make things worse,"  Pamela says in tears.  

 

"Tripp McKay is not gonna take your son away from you,"  Justin says.  "And he's not gonna break us up.  I promise."

Southfork....the cottage, that night....

 Bobby walks up to the front door of the cottage at Southfork that night and knocks on the door.  A moment later, Gary opens the door.  "Bobby," he says.

 

"Gary, can I come in?"

 

"Of course."

 

Bobby walks into the house.  Val is standing in the kitchen as Gary closes the door behind him.  "Val,"  Bobby says.

 

"Hello, Bobby,"  Val says in an awkward tone, still embarrassed by her outbursts that morning.  

 

"Dinner's almost ready, and I was wondering why you two hadn't come up to the house."

 

"We were gonna have dinner here tonight,"  Val says.

 

 

"Val and I had a long talk today,"  says Gary.  "We talked about the past, and about what happened with Lucy when J.R. took her away from Val.  And, if anyone is to blame for what happened to my family, it was me."

 

"Gary, you were not to blame for what J.R. did,"  Val says.

 

"Yes, I WAS.  If I hadn't been hitting the bottle.  If I had stood up to Daddy and to J.R. and not run away with my tail tucked between my legs, then Val wouldn't have had to run away either.  I should've stayed here and fought for my family like a man."

 

"Gary you were eighteen-years-0ld,"  Bobby says.  "You were barely an adult, so there's no way you could've stood up to both J.R. and Daddy.  There was plenty of blame to go around for what happened, and some of that blame does lie with me and with the rest of the family, even Mama."

 

"Bobby......"

 

"Val, just let me finish,"  Bobby says.  "I was just a kid of thirteen when J.R. drove the two of you off this ranch, so there wasn't much I could've done then.  But later, when the two of you were reunited sixteen years later and came back to Southfork to live.......I could've done more then.  Gary, when J.R. tried to push you into running that company he set you up with, I should have seen what he was up to.  Val even came to me with her concerns that the pressure was too much, but I wouldn't listen.  Val, do you remember what you said to me that day?"

 

"No.  Bobby, that was a long time ago,"  Val replies.  

 

"You said to me that Gary was in over his head with a shopping cart in front of him.  I dismissed your concerns and laughed them off.  I guess that I really didn't know my brother very well.  Turns out I didn't know either of them as well as I thought I did.  I should have done more to encourage Lucy to develop a stronger relationship with the two of you after she got older.  So you see.......part of the blame IS mine.  And I'm sorry."

 

Val walks over to him.  "Bobby, through all these years, you were always the one person in this family who accepted me, befriended me, and tried to help me.  And for that, I love you very dearly."  Val kisses him on the cheek.

 

"And I love you, Val, and you too, Gary.  I'm very glad that we've become closer in recent years.  I wish that this had happened a long time ago, when Mama was still alive."

 

"So do I,"  Gary says.  "But the past is gone.  It can't be changed.  We just have to move on from it, and enjoy what we have now."

 

"Gary and I talked almost all day,"  Val says.  "And he made me realize that, it's time I let go of this pain, and the past. We can never get back the years we lost, but,  I have Lucy in my life now, and, I'm grateful for that."

 

Bobby looks at the two and smiles.  "I'm grateful, too.  Grateful to have my brother and my sister-in-law back.  Now, how about the three of us go up to the house for dinner?"

 

"That sounds great," says Gary.  

 

"Let's go, then,"  Bobby says, after which the three leave the cottage together.

The Krebbs Ranch....later that night....

 

Conner is pacing around his bedroom later that night, after Ray and Donna have gone to bed.  Conner looks at his watch, then walks to his bedroom window and looks out.  After midnight and Dylan still isn't home.  "Damn it, Dylan, where the hell are you?"  He wonders aloud.  Picking up his cell phone, Conner sends a text to his brother.  He waits almost two minutes, but no reply from his brother.  He sighs in frustration, worried sick about Dylan.  Finally, he hears a car pull up in front of the house.  Looking out of his window, he sees that it's Dylan, finally returning home.  Leaving his bedroom, Conner goes down the stairs, but stops midway as he hears Dylan fumbling to open the front door downstairs in the foyer.  

 

 

 

 

Dylan opens the front door, and stumbles into the house, almost falling to the floor as he enters the foyer.  As Conner watches him from mid-way up the stairs, Dylan then trips over an umbrella stand in the foyer, and almost falls again.  It is apparent that he is drunk.  Conner switches on the light in the foyer, startling his brother, who quickly looks up and sees Conner coming down the stairs.

 

"It's my business because you're my brother, and you could've killed yourself or someone else tonight, you idiot!"  Conner angrily says.

 

"Just get the hell out of my face and leave me alone,"  Dylan says, starting up the stairs.

 

"Uh-uh,"  Conner says, stepping in front of him, blocking his way.  "You're gonna listen to me right now, Dylan.  For months, I have turned a blind eye to your behavior and your drinking.  But now you're going out, getting drunk, and instead of calling a cab or someone to come and get you, you decided to get behind the wheel of a car drunk."

 

"Nothing happened,"  Dylan says.  "I only went into Braddock, anyway, and there's hardly any traffic between here and town."

 

"And you think that makes it alright?"  Conner asks.  "Dylan, you've got a real problem, and it's time you got some help."

 

"The only PROBLEM I have is YOU!"  Dylan angrily says, still slurring his words.  "You're always on my back about something, and I'm sick to death of it.  And I'm sick of you!"

 

"Then maybe you should do what I suggested months ago, and just go back to your mother.  Maybe she'll put up with your drunken ass, but I'm tired of it. And tired of protecting and lying for you."

 

"Nobody asked you to."

 

"Yeah, well I'm DONE!"  Conner says.

 

"Fine, you go straight to hell!"  Dylan says.  He starts to push past his brother, but Conner gives him a slight shove.  Dylan loses his balance and falls backwards against the wall, then to the floor, causing a loud noise.  A moment later, the light comes on in the hallway upstairs, and Donna appears.

 

"What's going on down there?"  Donna asks.  "Conner?"

 

"Ummm, nothing, Donna,"  Conner replies, rushing to help his brother up.  "We, ummm, just tripped."  Conner pulls Dylan to his feet.

 

"Well are you two alright?"  

 

"Yeah, we're fine.  Just heading to bed.  Hope we didn't wake you."

 

"It's fine,"  Donna.  

 

Conner helps Dylan up the stairs, where they meet Donna in the hallway.  

 

"Dylan, are you sure you're alright?"  Donna asks, looking suspiciously at the young man.

 

"Yeah, I'm fine.  Just clumsy.  I can make it from here, Conner,"  Dylan says.  Conner lets go of his brother.  Dylan looks at Donna and halfway smiles.  "Night."

 

"Goodnight,"  Donna says.  Dylan walks with some difficulty into his bedroom and closes the door.  Donna lets out a deep sigh.  "He's drunk, isn't he?"  She asks Conner.

 

"Yeah.  He's drunk,"  replies a sad Conner.

 

"Oh, God.  I thought that this was under control.  That he had stopped.  Did you know that he was still drinking?"

 

"I suspected.  But I wasn't sure."

 

"Conner, why didn't you come to us and tell us about this?"  Donna asks.

 

"I........you and Ray have a lot going on.  You're busy with your job and traveling back and forth between here and Austin, and Ray has been busy with the ranch and that land deal with Heath and Mr. Powers. I didn't wanna add more to your plate.  I thought I could keep an eye on Dylan, and if there was a problem......"

 

"You thought you could handle it yourself," Donna says.

 

"Yeah, I did."

 

"Conner, we are a FAMILY.  You could not handle your brother's drinking on your own.  You should have come to me and Ray about this and we could all handle this together, as a family.  Dylan went out tonight.  WE suggested that he get out of the house for a while because he stays cooped up in his room so much.  Conner, did he drive home in this condition?"

 

Conner nods his head in silence.

 

"Oh dear God.  If he had gotten into an accident and hurt or killed someone, or himself......"

 

"I know,"  Conner says in tears.  "I know."

 

"Honey, we have to do something about this."  Donna walks over to Dylan's bedroom door, opens it, and looks in.  Dylan is laying sprawled across his bed, asleep.  Donna closes the door and walks back over to Conner.  "He's already asleep.  He'll probably be out for the night, so why don't you try and get some sleep, too.  Tomorrow, we have to tell Ray about this.  Maybe together, we can convince Dylan that he needs help."

 

Conner nods.  Donna puts her arms around the young man and hugs him.

 

"It's gonna be alright.  Now go get some sleep.  Love you."

 

"Love you, too.  Night."

 

"Night,"  Donna says as Conner goes into his bedroom and closes the door.  Donna lets out another sigh as she looks at Dylan's bedroom door, deeply worried about the young man she has come to love like a son.

Southfork....the next morning....

 John Ross and Krystina come down the stairs the next morning and walk into the dining room, finding Bobby, Ann, Christopher, Courtney, Jacob, Lucas, Heather, and Michael seated around the table having breakfast.

 

"Good morning, fam'ly,"  John Ross greets cheerfully.

 

"Morning,"  Bobby says as his nephew and Krystina take their seats at the table.

 

"You seem to be in an awfully good mood this morning,"  Christopher says.

 

"Why shouldn't I be?  It's a beautiful December mornin', I got my lovely wife next to me, the fam'ly had a great Christmas, and the Oil Baron's Ball is comin' up in just a few days.  There's a lot to be happy about."

 

"Can I go to the ball this year with you guys?"  Michael asks.

 

"You're a little young yet, buddy,"  replies Lucas.

 

"But don't you worry, Michael,"  says John Ross.  "You're time will come for goin' to the ball with the rest of the fam'ly."

 

"What's the Oil Baron's Ball?"  Jacob asks.

 

"Well, it's this really elegant ball that'd held in Dallas every year for people who work in the oil industry and their families or whoever they choose to invite as guests,"  Christopher tells his stepson.  

 

"And it's always a lot of fun,"  Krystina says.

 

"So, if Michael is too young to go, I guess I am, too?"

 

"Yep, sorry, sweetheart,"  says Courtney.  "But, in a few years you and Michael will both be old enough to go."

 

 

"What about Alex? Is he old enough to go?"  Michael asks.

 

"Alex is eighteen, so yes, he's old enough to go," replies John Ross.

 

"So unfair,"  Michael says with a sigh.

 

"What's so unfair?"  Alex asks, walking into the dining room.  "I hear my name?"

 

"I was just saying that it's unfair that YOU get to go to the Oil Baron's Ball, and Jacob and I are too young," Michael says.  "We have to stay home."

 

"Awww, poor babies,"  Alex taunts.  

 

"Shut up,"  Michael says.

 

"Alright, boys, that's enough,"  Bobby says.  "Let's just have breakfast in peace."

 

"You know,I really envy Sue Ellen and Catlin right now,"  Heather says.  

 

"Oh, so do I,"  Ann agrees.  "While they're relaxin' on a warm tropical beach, we're here where it's 30 somethin' degrees outside."

 

"John Ross, are your Mama and Catlin gonna be back from their honeymoon in time to go to the Ball Sunday night?" Bobby asks.  

 

"Mama said they are, but who knows."

 

"If I were Sue Ellen, I'm not sure I wouldn't skip the ball this year, considering what happened to her at LAST year's ball," Heather says.  

 

"Well, nothing like that is gonna happen this year,"  says Bobby.  

 

"I wouldn't be too sure, Uncle Bobby,"  John Ross says.  "After all, this is the Oil Baron's Ball we're talkin' about, and when do those things ever come off without a little good ol' Texas drama?"

 

At that moment, Jimmy walks into the dining room, looking still half asleep.

 

"Well, good morning,"  Bobby says as his great-nephew takes a seat at the crowded table.

 

"Morning,"  Jimmy sleepily says.

 

"Jimmy, you look terrible,"  Krystina says.  "Didn't you get any sleep last night?"

 

"No, I didn't."

 

"You have another nightmare?"  Alex asks his cousin.

 

"You've been having nightmares?"  Christopher asks.

 

"Yeah,"  Jimmy says.  "I can't remember the last time I had a night of good sleep that wasn't interrupted by the nightmares."

 

"Are they about what happened when you were kidnapped?"  Lucas asks.

 

"That's right.  And they aren't gonna stop until Katelyn Spencer and that crazy mother of hers are caught."

 

"Jimmy, don't worry,"  says Bobby.  "I can promise you they WILL be caught and brought back here to face justice."

 

"Excuse me, everyone,"  Ann says, getting up from the table.  As Bobby and the rest of the family watch her, Ann quickly leaves the room and goes upstairs.  

 

"What's wrong with Ann?"  Christopher asks.

 

"I dunno,"  Bobby says.  "I'll be right back."  Bobby gets up from the table and leaves the room, following his wife upstairs.  Walking into their bedroom a few seconds later, Bobby finds Ann standing in front of the double French doors leading onto the rear balcony.  He watches her for a moment, then walks over.  "Annie?"

 

"I'm sorry.  I'm just........Oh, I don't know.

"Honey, what is it?"  Bobby asks.  "Every time the subject of Katherine being caught and brought back to Dallas to pay for her crimes,  it seems to upset you.  You should look forward to the day that woman finally faces justice and gets put away for the rest of her life."

 

Ann turns to face him.  "Bobby, I'd like nothin' better than for Katherine Wentworth to be punished for everything she's done.  But I do not want to have to ever see that bitch again.  Not EVER.  And if her bein' brought back here and put on trial means that I would have to testify and face her in court.......then I'd just rather her never be found."

 

"Annie, I can't believe what I'm hearing,"  Bobby says.  "That woman tried to kill you."

 

"Yes, but she didn't,"  Ann says.  "She didn't kill me, Bobby.  I'm fine, and I just wanna get on with our lives and forget that Katherine Wentworth ever existed."

 

"Well I can't forget,"  says Bobby.  "After all the pain and turmoil that woman has inflicted on my life and the lives of the people I love over the years, I WON'T forget.  And I won't rest until I see her either dead........or in prison for the rest of her miserable life.  And for the life of me, Annie, I can't understand why you don't feel the same way."  Bobby turns and walks out.  Left alone in the living room, Ann begins to cry.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Krebbs Ranch....

 

 

Ray and Donna are seated at the breakfast table that morning when Conner walks into the kitchen.  

 

"Morning,"  Conner says, pouring himself a glass of juice.

 

"Mornin',"  Ray says.  "Donna told me about what happened last night,and about Dylan's drinkin'."

 

Conner pauses and looks at him. "I see."

 

"Conner, you should've come to us."

 

"I know.  I realize that now.  I just didn't wanna burden you guys with this."

 

"I knew that Dylan had been drinkin' a little, months ago,"  Ray says.  "I even talked to hjm about it.  He swore to me that he had it under control and he only took a drink every now and then.  I should've known he wasn't bein' honest."

 

"Ray, you can't blame yourself for this,"  Donna says, the three of them unaware that Dylan has come down the 

stairs.  Hearing the conversation about him, Dylan pauses outside of the door and listens.  "Neither of us knew how deep Dylan's problem is,"  Donna continues.  "The important thing is, now that we DO know, we can do something about it."

 

"Like what?"  Conner asks.  "What do we do?"

 

"We have a talk with him,"  says Ray.  "The three of us sit down with Dylan and confront him about his drinkin'.  See if we can convince him to stop before it gets any worse."

 

"And what if he doesn't stop?"  Conner asks.  "I've confronted him about it before, and it's like what I say goes in one ear and out the other."

 

"Then we may have to get some outside help,"  Donna says.  "In fact, that might not be such a bad idea.  Dylan clearly has a very serious problem with alcohol, and if we don't do something now........he could end up hurting himself, or someone else."

 

Unable to listen any longer, and filled with both hurt and anger, Dylan turns and quietly goes back up the stairs to his bedroom, where he picks up his car keys.  He grabs his jacket from the floor and hurries out of the room again. Slowly, he creeps down the stairs.  Ray, Donna, and Conner are still discussing him in the kitchen.  Being as quiet as he can, Dylan leaves through the front door.  Going outside, he gets into his car and drives away. 

 

Back in the kitchen, Donna pours another cup of coffee for herself and Ray.  "Conner, you may as well go and wake your brother up,"  Ray says.  "Tell him to come down here.  Sooner we get this over with, the better."

 

"Sure,"  Conner says.  Getting up from the table, he leaves the room.  

 

Ray reaches across the table and takes Donna by the hand.  "Everything's gonna be okay, Donna," he says.  "We're gonna get Dylan through this."

 

Donna looks at him and smiles.  Just then, Conner comes back down the stairs quickly, and rushes to the front door.  Opening the door, he sees that Dylan's car is gone.  Shaking his head in frustration, he returns to the kitchen.

 

"Conner, what's wrong?"  Donna asks.

 

 

"Dylan's gone,"  replies Conner.

 

"What do you mean gone?"  Ray asks.  

 

"He's gone.  He's not in his room, and his car's gone."

 

Ray sighs.  "Damn."

 

"I'm gonna go look for him,"  Conner says.

 

"I'll come with ya,"  Ray says, getting up from the table.  

 

"Good luck,"  A worried Donna says as Ray and Conner leave.

 

 

 

 

 

A bar in Braddock....a short time later....

 

 

Dylan walks into The Corner Bar in downtown Braddock a little while later and takes a seat on a stool at the bar.  

 

"Can I help you?"  The bartender asks.

 

"Whiskey.  Straight."

 

"You got some I.D.?"

 

Dylan takes out his wallet and shows the bartender his driver's license.  The man looks at it, then proceeds to fix Dylan his drink and places it in front of him.  Dylan takes two quick sips, then finishes it off with the third.  

 

"Lemme have another,"  Dylan says.  

 

The bartender looks at the young man, then pours him another drink.  

 

"Just leave the bottle,"  Dylan says.

 

"Sure, have at it,"  the bartender says, placing the bottle of bourbon in front of Dylan.  He finishes off his second glass, then pours himself a third.  As he takes a sip of his third glass of bourbon, Ray and Conner walk in.  Looking around, they spot Dylan sitting at the bar.  After a brief pause, they walk over to him.

 

"Dylan,"  Ray says.  

 

Dylan looks at them.  "How'd you find me?"

 

"I know you've been here before,"  replies Conner.  "And there are only two bars in Braddock, so we just checked this one first."

 

"Come on, Dylan, let's go home,"  Ray says.

 

"No, thanks."

 

"Dylan, come on, we're gettin' outta here,"  Conner says, grabbing his brother by the arm.

 

"Let go of me,"  says an angry Dylan, pulling away from Conner's grasp.  "I'm not going anywhere with you two."

 

"Dylan, we're leavin' here,"  Ray says.

 

"No.  I know what you guys are up to.  You think I have a problem, so you're gonna get me.....'help.'  I know what that means."

 

"Damn it, Dylan, you DO have a problem and a serious one,"  Conner says.  "It's time you faced it."

 

Dylan looks at his brother.  "You pretty much said you didn't give a damn about what I did anymore.  So I don't need your fake concern."

 

"Your brother loves you very much, Dylan, and so do Donna and I."

 

"If you all care so much about me, then just leave me alone.  Let me live my life the way I want to."

 

"And let you just drink yourself to death?"  Conner asks.

 

"Like I told you last night, it's none of your damned business.  I'm an adult, OVER the age of twenty-one, and I don't need my big brother telling me what I can and can't do."

 

"Well, I'm sure as hell gonna tell ya what to do,"  says Ray.  "And I'm tellin' you to get your ass up and go get in the truck.  We're takin' you home."

 

 

"And if I don't?"  Dylan asks.

 

Ray looks at the young man sternly.  "You don't have a choice.  You can come willingly or not.  But you're comin' home with us, one way or another." 

 

Dylan angrily looks at Ray, then at Conner.  Realizing he had no choice, he stands to his feet, reaches into his pocket and pulls out a $20, laying it on the bar.  He then walks past Ray and Conner, bumping Conner's shoulder hard, and leaves the bar.  Ray and Conner follow.  Outside, the three get into Ray's truck, and Ray drives off, headed back to the Krebbs ranch.  

 

 

Southfork....early afternoon....

 Alex and Bridget McKinnon are riding horses in a pasture at Southfork early that cold winter afternoon as Alex is giving his new friend a tour of the ranch.  "Well, what do you think?"

 

"Are we still on Southfork?"  Bidget asks.

  

"Yes, we are.  As far as you can see, this is ALL Southfork land."

 

"Wow.  This place is HUGE.  How many acres is this?"

 

Alex smiles.  "I really have no idea.  All I DO know is, there's so much land, it's real easy to get lost out here."

 

"I can see why you love it so much here," Bridget says.  "It's really a beautiful place."

 

"Yeah, Southfork definitely has that special something.  And, what makes it even more special is knowing that my roots are here. According to Uncle Bobby, my great-great-great-grandfather started this ranch way back in 1858."

 

"Really?"  

 

"Yeah.  Enoch Southworth came here with nothing but a grant of a piece of land.  THIS land.  He settled here, built a little house, bought some cattle, and Southfork was born.  And my family has lived on it ever since."

 

"Southworth?"  Bridget asks.

 

"Yeah, that was my great-grandmother's family, John Ross's grandmother.  Her name was Ellie Southworth before she married my great-grandfather, Jock Ewing."

 

"You're really interested in your family history, aren't you?"  Bridget asks.

 

"Yeah, I mean, it's cool to know where you came from, and whose blood is flowing through your veins.  And it's especially interesting to me because I'm still kinda new to this family.  Still learning about my grandparents, and great-grandparents.  My great-grandmother's family owned this ranch, and my great-grandfather hit a big oil gusher in East Texas back in the early 30s and started Ewing Oil."

 

"Must be nice to have that kind of history.  Unfortunately I don't have any great pioneers like that in my family tree.  My great-grandfather was a psychopath who fell to his death while trying to kill my grandfather."

 

"Oh......wow,"  Alex says.

 

"I guess Uncle Peter inherited those genes, which makes me wonder what craziness has been passed down to me."

 

"Come on, there's nothing crazy about you."

 

"How do you know?  You don't even know me that well."

 

"I know all I need to know.  You're a beautiful girl, both inside and out, and I enjoy spending time with you."

 

Bridget looks at him and smiles.  "I feel the same about you."

 

"I'm really glad that you're gonna be staying in Dallas for a while,"  Alex says.  "I hope that we can have the chance to really get to know each other."

 

"Don't worry.  You'll be seeing me so much, you'll probably get sick of me."

 

"Never,"  Alex says.  "Oh, ummm, before I forget, I need to ask you something."

 

"Ask away."

 

"Sunday night is the Oil Baron's Ball, and since I'm eighteen now, I'm old enough to go.  Would you like to go with me, as my date?"

 

"Well, what is an Oil Baron's Ball?"  Bridget asks.

 

"It's a big, fancy formal ball that all the rich oil people in Dallas go to every year.  They supposedly raise money for charity or something, and hand out awards for achievements in the oil business.  Basically, it's the Oscars for the oil industry."

 

Bridget laughs.  "Sounds fun.  Sure, I would love to go with you."

 

"Awesome,"  says Alex.  "I can't wait.  I'm gonna have the prettiest date there."

 

Bridget looks down and smiles bashfully at the comment as she and Alex continue their ride.

The Krebbs Ranch....that evening....

 An angry Dylan lays on his bed that night, staring up at the ceiling.  A knock sounds at the door, and Ray walks into the room, along with Donna and Conner.  "Dylan, we need to talk.  All of us,"  Ray says.

 

"We wanted you to have some time to cool off before we had this talk,"  Donna says.  

 

The young man continues staring up at the ceiling, ignoring them.  

 

"Dylan, sit up and look at us,"  Ray says, losing patience.  His anger is further aroused when Dylan continues to ignore.  "DYLAN!"  Ray shouts, startling him.  "Get your ass up and look at us.  NOW!"

 

Reluctantly, Dylan sits up on the bed and looks at the three.  "Okay.  I'm listening."

 

"Dylan, we are not here to punish you,"  Donna says.  "Or to scold you.  We are simply concerned........no, I take that back.  We aren't concerned.  We're worried sick about you."

 

 

 

"Why, because I have a drink every now and then?"  Dylan asks.  "Who doesn't?"

 

"You do more than have a drink every now and then, Dylan,"  says Conner.

 

"No one asked you."

 

 

"Look, I know that you probably hate me right now,"  Conner says.  "But I don't care.  I DO, however, care about you, and whether or not you're safe."

 

"You betrayed me by telling Ray and Donna that I'm a drunk!"

 

"No one had to tell us,"  Donna says.  "Dylan it was obvious when you came in last night that you were drunk.  And this isn't the first time.  All the time you've spent up here in your room, and all those times you claimed you weren't feeling well.  All the times Conner made excuses for you not coming down to breakfast or dinner.  Honey, it's not that hard to figure out what was REALLY going on."

 

"You drove home drunk last night?"  Ray sternly asks.

 

"I wasn't drunk."

 

"Dylan, yes, you WERE,"  says Donna.  "You fell in the hallway downstairs, and Conner had to practically carry you upstairs."

 

 

"I didn't fall, he pushed me!"

 

"You wouldn't have fallen if you hadn't been too drunk to stand on your own two feet,"  Conner says.

 

"Dylan, this has gotta stop,"  Ray says.  "And it's GONNA stop.  Right now."

 

"I'm an adult.  I'm over 21, and no one can tell me that I can't have a drink once in a while."

 

"Well as long as you're livin' under our roof, you're gonna do exactly as we say."

 

Dylan stands to his feet.  "Then I won't live under your roof anymore.  I'll go back and live with my mother, or with my brother Todd."

 

"Oh, that'll be perfect, won't it?"  Conner asks.  "Two people who'll enable your addiction."

 

"Hey, you shut the hell up!"  Dylan angrily says.

 

"Hold on,"  says Ray.  "Nobody's goin' anywhere."

 

"Just watch me."

 

"I said you're not goin' anywhere,"  Ray again tells him.  

 

"What, are you gonna keep me here against my will?"

 

"If I have to."

 

"That's called KIDNAPPING."

 

"So, it is,"  Ray says.  "But it's for your own good.  Dylan, you have three people here who love you.  And we're gonna do whatever we have to do in order for you to get sober, and get back to bein' the Dylan that we all knew before this drinkin' started.  You wanna act like a kid?  Fine, you'll be treated like one.  You're not to leave this room.  I'll hang on to your car keys, and your phone," Ray says, picking up the phone and the keys from the nightstand.

 

"You can't do this!"  Dylan yells.

 

"Watch me.  Dylan, you been like a son to me.  And this is exactly what I'd do if you WERE my son."  Ray walks over to the closet and opens it.

 

"Hey, what are you doing?"  Dylan asks.  

 

"What's it look like?"  Ray asks, removing all of Dylan's clothes from the closet.  He then begins searching the shelves finding a box.  Pulling the box down, Ray looks inside and finds a bottle of vodka.  "We'll start with this," he says.

 

"That's just.......I didn't even know that was there,"  says Dylan.  

 

"Conner and Donna, you two wanna check his dresser and nighstand?"  Ray asks.

 

With tears of anger in his eyes, Dylan watches in horror as Ray rummages through his closet, Donna opens his nightstand and checks every drawer, and Conner does the same to his dresser.  Conner finds another bottle in Dylan's underwear drawer and pulls it out.  

 

"Found this,"  Conner says.  

 

"Give me that,"  Ray says, taking the bottle.  

 

"I'll check under the bed,"  says Conner.  Getting down on the floor he looks under Dylan's bed, pulling out a box.

 

"Nothing in here,"  Donna says after finishing her search of the night stand.  

 

Ray goes into Dylan's bathroom and checks his medicine cabinet and the cabinet under the sink.....only toothpaste and two bottles of mouthwash can be found.  Ray opens one bottle of mouthwash and smells it, then returns to the bedroom.  

 

Conner takes out two small bottles of vodka from the box from under Dylan's bed and hands them to Ray.

 Justin is standing in front of the fireplace at Southfork the next day looking up at the portrait of his grandfather sitting on the mantle.  John Ross and Krystina walk into the room.  

 

"Hey,"  John Ross says.  

 

"John Ross, Krystina,"  Justin says.

 

"Hi, Justin,"  says Krystina.

 

"Maria said you wanted to see me?"  John Ross asks.

 

"Yeah, can we talk outside?"

 

"Sure,"  replies John Ross, curious about why his brother wants to talk to him alone.  "Darlin', I'll be right back."  John Ross and Justin leave the room.  A few seconds later, the two brothers walk onto the patio, the bitterly cold winter 

air hitting them as if they'd stepped into a freezer.  "We couldn't have done this inside, where it's warm?"

 

"I didn't want anyone to overhear us."

 

"Okay, so, now that you got me out here in freezing cold weather, what is it you wanted to talk to me about?" John Ross asks.

 

"I need your help, John Ross."

 

"Help with what?"

 

Justin lets out a deep sigh, his breath visible in the cold air.  "John Ross, I know how you feel about Pamela and about our relationship.  But try and put that aside for right now, because I need your advice on dealin' with Pamela's ex, Tripp McKay."

 

"McKay?  Why, what's goin' on?" John Ross asks.

 

"McKay came by Pamela's apartment yesterday to bring their son Hunter back home,"  Justin says.  "There was an ugly scene, and McKay made some threats."

 

"What kinda threats?"

 

"He said that if Pamela marries me, he's gonna take her back to court to try and get custody of Hunter, and he pretty much said he's gonna use any means necessary.  You've done war with this guy before.  Anything I need to know before comin' up against him?"

 

"Well, you know the easiest thing to do would be to just come to your senses and break up with her, then you won't have to fight her ex."

 

"John Ross, I need your help right now, NOT your sarcasm.  So if you're not gonna help, I'll just leave."  Justin turns and starts to walk away.

 

"Alright, now just hold on, little brother.  I never said I wouldn't help you.  Okay, now, you're right, I have done a few battles with Tripp McKay before, and one thing you need to realize about the guy is, he's real slick.  And ruthless, just like his granddaddy was."

 

"So what am I gonna do, John Ross?"  Justin asks.  "How do I beat this jerk and get him to back off?  I love Pamela, and I am NOT gonna let that guy break us up or take her son away from her."

 

"Alright, I'll help you,"  John Ross says.  "I got a few scores to settle with McKay myself.  You leave McKay to me."

 

"John Ross, I came to your for help.  Not to ask you to fight my battle for me."

 

"I know.  So we'll take McKay down together.  You and me, brother."

 

Justin smiles.  "It's about time we found ourselves on the same side."

 

"Damn sure is,"  John Ross says as the brothers shake hands.

 

Jeremy Wendell's penthouse....

"I have thought about it,"  says Tripp.  "But, I'm hoping that my little threat will be enough to convince Pamela to toss Justin Ewing to the curb, or face losing Hunter.  I told her that I was willing to whatever I had to."

 

"You have a ruthless streak, Tripp,"  Jeremy says.  "I like that.  I like that a lot.  You're use to getting what you want, just as I am.  That's a trait to be admired in a man."

 

"I suppose I take after my grandfather."

 

"Yes, I suppose you do."

 

"Well, Jeremy, I hate to rush off, but I have to get going.  I have a lot of work to do at the office this afternoon."

 

"Fine,"  Jeremy says.  "I also have a meeting here in about an hour with the man who's going to help us get that land from the Ewings in East Texas."

 

"Let me know how it goes,"  Tripp says.

 

"I shall."

 

"Thanks again, for everything, and I'll see you later."  

 

Jeremy walks Tripp to the door.  "I'll see you,"  he says as Tripp leaves.  Jeremy closes the door behind Tripp, then returns to his desk.  After a brief pause, he walks over to a book case and pushes a button hidden behind a book.  The book case slowly moves to the side, revealing a wall safe.  Opening the safe, Jeremy takes out a folder, which he opens.  Inside the folder is a copy of his new will, in which he names Tripp, his brother Shawn, and mother Sharon as his heirs.  Looking over the document, he smiles.  Replacing the will in the folder, he puts it back into the safe, then takes out a faded photograph and looks at it.  It is a photo of a baby girl.  "Sharon," he says softly as he looks at the photo of Tripp's mother as a baby.  

A cruise ship in the Caribbean....

 Meanwhile, on a Caribbean Princess Cruise ship, Catlin Ewing is enjoying a jog around the deck of the ship when he descends a set of stairs leading down to the ship's pool, where Sue Ellen is seated and sipping on a tropical punch.  Catlin stretches, then jogs over to where Sue Ellen is seated.  

 

"Did you have a nice run?"  She asks.

 

"Oh yes.  This sea air is very refreshing."

 

"I agree.  I've been sitting here enjoying this clean air myself."

 

"Hard to believe that back in Dallas, the temperature is about 40 degrees right now, yet here we are on this gorgeous cruise ship where it's a sunny and warm 85 degrees."  Catlin takes a seat beside his wife.  "You are happy, aren't you?"

 

Sue Ellen smiles.  "This has been the happiest week of my life.  Our wedding, and enjoying this wonderful cruise with my amazing, handsome husband.  Right now my life is the very definition of happy.  And it's all because of you, my darling."

 

"I love you so much, Sue Ellen Ewing.  I never thought I would find this kind of love again.  And then you came along."

 

"I wish that this cruise could go on forever,"  Sue Ellen.  "It's a shame it'll be over on Saturday."

 

"Well, it doesn't have to be,"  says Catlin.  "Y'know, we could book a second week."

 

"What about the Oil Baron's Ball?"

 

"Sue Ellen, wouldn't you rather skip the Ball this year?  Especially with all the painful memories of what happened last year?"

 

The smile fades from Sue Ellen's face.  "It's hard to believe it's been a year since that horrible night Brittany was killed."

 

"And the nightmare still isn't over,"  says Catlin.  "After the new year, we still have to face Peter Love's trial, unless, of course he does the decent thing and pleads guilty."

 

"I wouldn't count on that."

 

"I'm afraid you're right.  Peter has never done anything decent in his entire life, so why should he start now?"

 

Sue Ellen reaches over and touches Catlin's face.  "I think you had a wonderful idea.  I think we should book another week on the cruise and skip the Oil Baron's Ball this year."

 

"Are you sure?"

 

"Yes, very sure.  I don't want our honeymoon to end."

 

"Oh, my darling wife.......our honeymoon will NEVER end,"  Catlin says, leaning over to kiss her.

The Krebbs Ranch....late afternoon

 

 

Dylan is laying on his bed that afternoon, tossing a baseball in the air and then catching it.  Someone knocks on his bedroom door.  "Who is it?"  Dylan asks.

 

"Conner."

 

"GO away!"

 

"I got your laundry,"  Conner says.

 

Dylan sighs, then reluctantly gets up from the bed and walks over to his door, unlocking it.  Opening the door, Dylan takes a stack of his clean clothes from Conner, then closes the door in Conner's face.  As Dylan walks over to put his laundry away, Conner walks into the room.  "Get out,"  Dylan says.

 

"Not until we talk first."

 

"There's nothing I wanna say to you, or hear from you."

 

"Dylan, I know you're pissed at me,"  Conner says.  "You probably even hate me a little right now.  But this whole situation, you brought on yourself."

 

"Oh, sure, I brought it AAALLLL on myself.  That's why I'm locked in my room like a prisoner,"  says an angry and bitter Dylan.  "Man, you just wait until I can get my hands on a phone.  Just WAIT!  I'm gonna call the cops them I've been kidnapped."

 

 

Conner?  Those same people are probably laughing at you behind your back, saying how pathetic you are.  I laugh at you.  Because you're so stupid.  So......so damned desperate for everyone to like you and see you as the good one, that it doesn't even feel like you're a real person.   You don't get drunk, you don't go out and party.  

 

"Are you done?"  Conner asks.  

 

"Yeah, I'm done."

 

"Did insulting me make you feel any better?  Did it make you feel any more like a man?  You call me pathetic?  But look at you.  Can't even live a day without booze.  You're pushing away the people who love you, and for what?  Something that's only gonna drag you to hell.  Maybe I AM pathetic, but you.........you're the very definition of the word pathetic.  I really feel sorry for you, little brother.  You wanna end up all alone, just you and the bottle?  Well congratulations.  You're on your way to achieving that goal."

 

"Get out,"  Dylan says in an angry, yet soft tone as he fights to hold back his tears.  "Just get out of here and leave me alone."

 

"Gladly.  If Ray and Donna wanna waste their time with you, then that's up to them,"  Conner says.  "I'm finally done.  Drink yourself into a coma for all I care."  Near tears himself, Conner turns and walks out of his brother's room.  

 

After Conner leaves, Dylan walks into his adjoining bathroom, opens the medicine cabinet, and takes down the nearly empty bottle of whiskey he had concealed as mouthwash.   Seeing he only had a little left, he opens the bottle and takes a sip, then a second, then finishes it off with a third sip.  He begins to cry.  

 

Meanwhile, Conner comes downstairs and starts to leave the house when Donna walks into the foyer from the living room.  "Conner, what happened up there?  I heard yelling."

 

"Donna, I'm sorry.  But I'm done with trying to help him.  Maybe we should just give him all the booze he wants and let him drink himself brain dead."

 

"You don't mean that,"  Donna says.

 

"Yeah, I do.  God help me, I do.  That's what he wants, anyway.  He cares more about that damned alcohol than he does any of us., and I've had it."  Conner grabs his coat from the rack in the foyer and leaves.

 

Donna lets out a deep sigh as she looks up the stairs toward Dylan's room, an expression of deep sadness on her face.

Southfork.....that night....

 

 

 

Bobby, Ann, Christopher, Courtney, Jacob, Lucas, Heather, Michael, John Ross, Krystina, and Alex  all adjourn to the living room at Southfork that evening after dinner, along with their dinner guests, C.J. Ewing, Donna Love, her daughter Marley, granddaughter Bridget, and Eric Love, for drinks.  Bobby and Christopher go to the bar and begin pouring drinks for everyone, as various conversations are taking place around the room.  Bobby fixes both Ann and Donna Love a drink and hands them to the women.

 

"Thank you, Bobby,"  Donna Love says.  

 

"Dinner was absolutely delicious,"  says Marley.

 

"We're glad you enjoyed it,"  Ann says.  "And we're very glad you and your family joined us for dinner tonight."

 

"Thank you for having us,"  says Donna.  "I must admit we're getting a little tired of eating out, and that hotel food leaves something to be desired."

 

"How long are y'all gonna be stayin' in Dallas?"  John Ross asks.  

 

"Right now, for an indefinite period,"  Donna Love replies.  "Peter's trial will be starting in a couple of weeks, and I need to be here for that, and for whatever happens afterward.  So, I guess I should start looking for an apartment or something."

 

"What about Bridget's school?"  Lucy asks.

 

"Well, she'll have to transfer for the time that we're here.  What are some of the best schools in Dallas?"

 

"I can recommend Braddock High," Alex says.  

 

"Is that where you to go school, Alex?"  Marley asks.

 

"Yes, ma'am."

 

"Where is this Braddock High?"  Donna Love asks.  

 

"It's in Braddock, a little town about 11 miles from here,"  replies Bobby. "Braddock has some real good schools.  My son Christopher went to school there, and so did my niece Lucy."

 

"Speaking of which, where is Lucy tonight, Mr. Ewing?"  Marley asks.

 

"She's having dinner in town with her parents, Gary and Valene, and her brother, Bobby.  They're heading back to California tomorrow, and the four of them wanted to spend some time together as a family."

 

"How about it, Grandmother?"  Bridget asks.  "Braddock High sounds pretty cool."

 

"Well, I don't know.  We were really hoping to find a school in Dallas."

 

"I wouldn't mind the commute,"  Bridget says, she and Alex exchanging smiles, which doesn't go unnoticed by a displeased Donna.

 

"Braddock High does sound good,"  says Marley.  "Donna, why don't we check it out after the first of the year?"

 

"Well, I was actually thinking maybe a private school would be better."

 

"Grandmother, I'm NOT gonna spend the rest of my senior year at some snooty private school with a bunch of snobby rich kids,"  Bridget says.  "I'm eighteen and old enough to decide for myself where I want to go to school, and Braddock High sounds terrific."

 

"And, she'll already have a friend there in Alex," Krystina says.  

 

"Yeah, that's the best part,"  says Bridget.  "I'll have a friend at school already.  Oh, and by the way.  Grandmother, Aunt Marley, Alex has asked me to be his date for the Oil Baron's Ball on New Year's Eve."

 

"Really?"  Marley asks.  "Well, that's wonderful."

 

"What exactly is an Oil Baron's Ball?"  Donna Love asks.

 

"As I told Bridget, it's kind of like the Academy Awards for the Oil Industry,"  Alex says.

 

"The Oil Baron's Ball is a black tie formal affair held once a year in Dallas, to honor and recognize those who have made contributions to the oil industry,"  Bobby says.  

 

"So, your entire family will be going?"  Donna asks.

 

"That's right,"  Ann replies.  "I have an idea.  Bobby, do you think you could get two more tickets?"

 

"Well, I can try."

 

"Good.  If so, Donna and Marley, would you like to go with us to the Ball?  I mean, if you don't have any other plans for New Year's Eve."

 

"Of course we don't.  That sounds lovely.  Yes, we'd love to,"  Donna replies, believing she can use going to the Ball as a way of keeping an eye on Bridget and Alex.

 

Meanwhile, across the room, Lucas is talking with C.J. and his half-brother, Eric Love.  "C.J., have you talked to your Dad since he and Aunt Sue Ellen have been on their honeymoon?"

 

"Yeah, I talked to Dad today, and he and Sue Ellen have decided to book another week on the cruise ship, so they won't be home until a week from Sunday."

 

"What?"  Asks John Ross, who was standing nearby and overheard.  "They're not comin' back in time for the Oil Baron's Ball this Sunday?"

 

"Nope, afraid not, John Ross,"  C.J. says.  "They're having so much fun, they wanted to stay another week."

 

"Well, that's just fine,"  says an annoyed John Ross.  "I had to find this out from you instead of from my mother."

 

"John Ross, can't you just be happy that your mother and my father are having a good time?"  C.J. asks.  "What difference does it make how you found out they were staying another week?"

 

Before John Ross can say another word, his cell phone vibrates in his pocket, indicating he has an incoming text. 

Taking the phone from his pocket, he looks at it.  The text is from Shawn.  He quickly puts the phone back into his pocket, then walks over to Krystina, who is chatting with Heather and Courtney.  

 

"Darlin', I'll be back in a few minutes,"  he says.  

 

"Where are you going?"

 

"Just upstairs.  Be back in a few."  He kisses her on the cheek, then leaves the room.  Walking into the foyer, John Ross looks back to make sure no one is looking.  He grabs a coat from the coat rack and leaves the house through the front door. 

 A minute later, John Ross walks out to the fence at the driveway, where Shawn is parked just down the driveway in his car.  Seeing John Ross, Shawn gets out of his car and walks over to meet him.  

"I don't think so,"  Shawn says.  "In fact, I'm sure it's not.  If it were Cliff, Tripp would've just said so, instead of sounding so mysterious about it. He wouldn't even tell my Mom who it is.  But then, while he was there, he got a phone call.  I know it was from this.....benefactor.  Obviously, the person asked Tripp to meet him or her.  So I followed him after he left my Mom's."

 

"And where'd he go?  Did you see this person he was supposed to meet?"

 

"No, but, I know where he went to meet them.  2200 Ross Avenue."

 

"2200 Ross Avenue?"  John Ross asks.  "That's the Chase Tower downtown."

 

"Yeah,"  says Shawn.  "I waited for like an hour, and Tripp still hadn't come out.  So, I came out here to tell you."

 

"Who the hell could McKay be meetin' at the Chase Tower?  A woman, maybe?"

 

"I don't know."

 

John Ross nods.  "Thank ya, Shawn.  I really appreciate you comin' all the way out here to tell me this."  John Ross reaches into his wallet and pulls out a $100 bill and hands it to the teenager. 

 

"Thanks, John Ross,"  Shawn says, taking the money.  "I've really missed workin' for you."

 

"Look, don't put yourself in any harm's way or do anything to arouse your brother's suspicion, but, just keep your eyes an ears open.  See if you can find out who this mystery benefactor is.  In the meantime, I'll do some checkin' on my own, and try and find out the names of the tenants in the apartments in Chase Tower.  You wanna come in? Family just had dinner,"

 

"Thanks, but no, I don't think I should," says Shawn.  "It'll look suspicious if you and I walk in there together."

 

"Thanks again.  See ya,"  John Ross says, then turns and walks back to the house.

 

Shawn returns to his car, gets in, and drives away.

Southfork....New Year's Eve....

Three evenings later, on New Year's Eve, Bobby, Ann, Lucy, Christopher, Courtney, and Jimmy are gathered in the den at Southfork, each of them, with the exception of Jimmy, are dressed in their finest formal clothes, the men in tuxedos and the women in elegant evening gowns.  The family is getting ready to head off to the annual Oil Baron's Ball.  Lucas, Heather, Michael, and Jacob come down the stairs. Lucas and Heather also dressed in a tux and an evening gown.

 

"Well, you two look great,"  Bobby says.

 

"Thank you, thank you,"  says Heather.

 

"I sure wish Jacob and I could go to the Ball,"  Michael complains.

 

"Yeah, me, too,"  agrees Jacob.

 

"Don't be sad you can't go,"  says Lucy.  "These things are BORING."

 

"Then why do you go?"  Michael asks.

 

"Because grown ups LIKE boring events like this."

 

"You guys will be old enough to go in a few years,"  Lucas says.  

 

"In the meantime, you guys behave for Jimmy, okay?"  Courtney says.  

 

"Don't worry, we'll be fine,"  says Jimmy.  "We'll watch some movies tonight, and play some games and have a good time, right, guys?"

 

"Right,"  replies Michael.

 

"Well, young man, I want YOU in bed right after you guys watch the ball drop at midnight, okay?"  Heather says to her son.

 

"And the same goes for you, Jacob,"  Courtney says.

 

"No worries, I'll have 'em in bed at one minute after midnight,"  Jimmy says.

 

"Jimmy, it's not too late for us to make other arrangements for the boys if you wanna come with us tonight,"  Bobby says.

 

"Yeah, my friend Sarah said that she didn't have any plans for tonight,"  Heather says.  "She never goes out, anyway, so, I could call her and ask her to sit with Michael and Jacob."

 

"Thanks, guys, but, no thanks,"  says Jimmy.  "I really don't feel like being around a big crowd, so, I'd rather just stay home with the kids."

 

"Alright, well, if you change your mind, just text me and I'll give Sarah a call,"  Heather says.

 

"We would really love for you to come with us," says Bobby.

 

"I appreciate it, Uncle Bobby, but I'll pass."

 

John Ross and Krystina come down the stairs and walk into the room, and all eyes turn on the couple.

 

"Krystina, you look absolutely stunning,"  Ann says.

 

"Yeah, you sure do,"  agrees Courtney.

 

"Well, thank you all, but I feel like a whale,"  Krystina.

 

"Darlin', you have never looked more beautiful to me than you do right now,"  John Ross tells his wife.

 

"John Ross, that was beautiful,"  Christopher.  "Too bad you can't be that sincere and charming all the time."

 

"Real funny,"  says John Ross.  "Alex already leave?"

 

"Yes, he went to pick up Bridget, and they're gonna meet us there," replies Lucas.

 

"Well, if everyone is ready, then, we should get going," says Bobby.

 

"Jimmy, you have all our numbers if you need us for anything," Courtney says.

 

Jimmy smiles.  "Look, go and have a good time.  We're gonna be fine here, but yes, I have everyone's numbers if I should need you.  But I won't, so go."

 

"Well, good night,"  Christopher says.  "You guys have fun."

 

"We will,"  Jimmy says as the rest of the family all leave.  Jimmy walks them to the front door, and then closes it after everyone is gone.  He walks back into the den where Michael and Jacob are.  "Okay, boys, what do we do first?  Watch a movie?"

 

"Can we watch a horror movie?"  Michael asks.

 

"Would your parents let you watch a horror movie?"  

 

"Ummmm, no."

 

"Well, then I'm not going to, either,"  Jimmy says.  "Hey, how about a Christmas movie?  The Santa Clause.  I haven't seen that one in a long time."

 

"Christmas is over,"  says Jacob.

 

"Not really.  It's only New Year's Eve, so it's still the Christmas season."

 

"Okay, but can we watch Christmas Vacation first?"  Michael asks.

 

"Yeah, I LOVE that one,"  Jacob says.

 

"Okay, I love it, too, so, Christmas Vacation it is, then,"  Jimmy says.  "Come on, let's go make some popcorn and get ready."

The Krebbs Ranch....

"Thanks,"  Conner says.  "But, I'd rather just stay home.  I know, I'm lame."

 

"I don't think you're lame at all,"  Donna says, walking over and kissing him on the forehead.  

 

"You two have a good time tonight."

 

"We will,"  Ray says.  "And listen, if you have any problems with Dylan, just call or text and we'll be home in a flash."

 

"I will.  But, I don't think there'll be any problem," Conner says.   "Dylan's upstairs in his room.  Haven't heard a peep out of him in a while.  He'll probably stay up there all night, and I'll just chill down here watching TV."

 

"Okay.  Well, we will see you either when we get home, or in the morning."

 

"Alright.  Night, guys, and Happy New Year."

 

"Happy New Year to you,"  Donna says as she and Ray leave.  After they're gone, Conner picks up the remote control and begins flipping through channels on the TV until he finds the movie Rebel Without A Cause just coming on.  He puts the remote down and settles back to watch the movie.

 Upstairs in his bedroom, Dylan is looking out the window.  He sees Ray and Donna as they leave the house, get into Donna's black Cadillac Escala, and drive away headed to the Oil Baron's Ball.  After watching them drive off, Dylan 

 

 

"Oh my God," she says, stunned to see him.  "What the hell are you doin' here?"

 

"Isn't it obvious?  I came to see you. May I come in?"

 

"There is nothing you and I have to talk about, so if you don't mind, please leave."

"Actually, I DO mind,"  Jeremy says, walking into the apartment.  

 

Sharon closes the door and turns to the man.  "I never thought I'd see you again.  How did you find me?"

 

"I'm very resourceful."

 

"Yes, I know.  I'm all too familiar with your........resourcefulness.  So why are you here?"

 

"I came to see my daughter,"  Jeremy replies.  "And, hopefully meet my grandson.  Your youngest boy is 18 now, isn't he?"

 

"You stay the HELL away from both of my sons!"  Sharon says.  

 

"Sharon, those boys are my grandsons."

 

"The last thing Tripp and Shawn need is YOU for a grandfather.  If it wasn't for you, Tommy might still be alive today.  Tripp and Hunter could have had the chance to know their father."

 

"Tommy McKay was a loser and an addict,"  says Jeremy.  "He would've ended up dead or in prison without any help from me."

 

"You are a miserable, low down snake.  I made it clear to you years ago that I wanted nothing to do with you."

 

"Sharon, a lot of years have passed since then.  I've made a lot of changes in my life.  I have a daughter, two grandsons, and a great-grandchild that I'd like the chance to get to know.  I wish that I'd done things differently, as far as your mother was concerned, and as far as you were concerned."

 

"Different?"  Sharon asks.  "Different.....how?  Do you wish you hadn't been the kind of man my mother didn't want to have as a father for her child?  Or do you wish you hadn't been the kind of man your daughter wanted nothing to do with?"

 

"Both.  I have a lot of regrets where you and your mother are concerned."

 

"Regrets?"  Sharon asks, tears streaming down her face.  "And do you regret what you did to Tommy?"

 

"Yes, I do.  I would like the chance to make up for some of my sins, if you'll let me."

 

"No, thank you,"  Sharon says as the doorbell rings.   She opens the door to find Mitch.

 

"Hi, Sharon, I know I'm early, but......"  Mitch stops when he sees Jeremy.  "Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't realize you had a guest."

 

"He isn't a guest,"  Sharon says.  "And he was JUST leaving."

 

Jeremy looks at Sharon for a moment, then nods.  "Well, I certainly hope that we can talk again soon."

 

"Yeah, that's not gonna happen,"  Sharon says.  

 

As Jeremy is about to leave, Shawn walks into the apartment.  He and Jeremy come face to face.  "Well, you must be Shawn," Jeremy says.

 

"Yes, I am.  Who are you?"

 

"No one,"  Sharon says.  "Like I said, he was just leaving."

 

"Sharon, he's a fine looking boy,"  says Jeremy.  "Happy New Year."  Without another word, Jeremy leaves.

 

"Mom, who was that?"  Shawn asks.

 

"I told you.  No one.  Honey, are you going out anymore tonight?"

 

"I'm not sure.  Alex is at that Oil Baron's Ball.  Josh asked me over to his house for a party, so I may go over there later."

 

"Okay, well, if you do, be careful,"  Sharon says, kissing her son on the cheek.

 

"Yeah, I will."

 

"We'll be back around one."

 

"Okay.  Night,"  Shawn says as his mother and Mitch leave.  

 

Mitch and Sharon head down the hall to the elevator.  "Sharon,"  Mitch says.  "That man.........that was........wasn't that Jeremy Wendell?"

 

"Yes."

 

"But.......how do you know him?"

 

"I had no idea that YOU knew him,"  says Sharon.

 

"Well, I don't, personally, but I do know of the man,"  Mitch says.  "Sharon, please, tell me.  What was Jeremy Wendell doing at your apartment?  He seemed to know you very well."

 

"Mitch, please, I don't wanna talk about it.  Let's just go, alright?"

 

"Obviously his visit upset you.  I'd like to know why.  Sharon, we promised each other, no secrets.  If this man upset you for some reason, I'd like to help."

 

"You can't help,"  Sharon says, looking at Mitch with tears in her eyes.  "I'd hoped that I would never see Jeremy Wendell again.  I certainly never expected him to show up here tonight.  I didn't even know he was back in Dallas."

 

"What was he doing here?"  Mitch asks.  "And how do you know a man like that?"

 

Sharon looks at him and hesitates a few seconds before answering.  "He's my father," she finally says as the elevator doors open.  Sharon steps into the elevator.  Mitch, stunned by her confession that Jeremy Wendell is her father, remains motionless for a moment, then he finally steps into the elevator with her.

The Oil Baron's Ball....

"Sounds like you're real anxious to become a fam'ly man, Jay,"  John Ross says.

 

"I am."

 

"Well, I can highly recommend it,"  Krystina says.  "Sure, I may look and feel like a whale, and the morning sickness is horrible, but to be honest, I've never been as happy as I am now that I'm pregnant with John Ross's child."

 

"And you two been married almost two years now,"  says John Ross.  "It's high time y'all made me an uncle again."

 

"Excuse me,"  Jill says, quickly walking away from them.

 

"Was it something we said?"  Krystina asks.  

 

"No, it's not,"  Jay replies.  "She gets like that for some reason every time the subject of us having a baby comes up."

 

Jill walks over to the bar and orders a drink.  Just then, Pamela walks up to the bar.  "Jill,"  she says.

 

"Pamela,"  Jill replies, coldly.  "I guess you're here with my brother."

 

"Okay, what was that all about?"  Justin asks.

 

"Just.......same old crap.  Your sister can't stand me, and I can't stand her.  It's safe to say that Jill and I will never be BFFs."

 

"Oh, darn, I was hopin' you'd ask her to be your maid of honor."

 

Pamela laughs.  "Maybe in your dreams, Ewing,"  she says, kissing him as Tripp walks over.  

 

 

"Well, I see you two just don't listen,"  Tripp says.  "Pamela, I warned you what would happen if you didn't get rid of this guy."

 

Pamela turns to her ex.  "You don't scare me, Tripp.  And you're sure as hell not going to blackmail me into breaking up with Justin because you have a problem with who he's related to."

 

"You leave me no choice,"  Tripp says.  "First thing Tuesday morning, I'm gonna see my lawyer about getting custody of my son."

 

"Just TRY IT,"  says an angry Pamela.  "You want a fight, Tripp, then that's exactly what you'll get."

 

"And I'm sure any judge in a custody case would be real interested in the ultimatum you gave Pamela,"  Justin says.  "Tryin' to make her choose between you and her unborn child."

 

"You shut the hell up and stay out of this, Ewing, this is between ME and Pamela."

 

"You threaten the woman I love, and it becomes between me and you, bud,"  says Justin.  

 

"Tripp, you just try and take my son away from me and I swear.........I'll play just as dirty as I have to,"  Pamela says.  "I'll do whatever it takes to stop you."

 

"Well, what's goin' on over here?"  John Ross asks as he walks over.  

 

"None of your damned business,"  Tripp says.  

 

"Pamela, come on,"  Justin says.  "Let's go where the air is a little fresher."

 

"Gladly.  Tripp, I meant what I said......I'll do whatever I have to do to fight you."  Pamela gives her ex-husband an angry look, then walks away with Justin.  

 

"Well, I guess she told you,"  John Ross says sarcastically to Tripp.  

 

"Go to hell, John Ross, I'm in no mood for your crap tonight."

 

"Well, I'm not dishin' out any crap, McKay, just a warnin',"  John Ross says.  "I'm gonna get you.  You, Cliff Barnes, and that bastard son of his.  I know the three of you have been collaboratin' to hurt me and Ewing Oil.  Stealin' that Archer refinery right out from under me.  I hadn't forgotten about that, and I plan on doin' somethin' about that real soon."

 

"Ewing, you're nothing but a bunch of hot air.  You're no match for Westar, and soon, Ewing Oil is going to be destroyed, and you right along with it.  And I can't wait for that day, because I'm gonna take great pleasure in bringing you, your brother, and that whole damned family of yours to your knees."

 

John Ross looks at Tripp and smiles.  Without warning, he quickly grabs a platter of pastries from a waiter walking by and hits Tripp in the face with it, covering his face with the sticky pastry.  Nearby Ball guests gasp at the sight.  

 

"You son of a bitch!"  Tripp says, wiping the mess from his face with his hands.  "You're gonna pay for that one!"

 

"Uh, waiter,"  John Ross says to the stunned young waiter he had taken the platter from.  "When you clean up this mess, you may wanna take the trash out, too."  Smiling, John Ross turns and walks away as the embarrassed waiter tries to help Tripp clean himself up.  Satisfied with himself, John Ross walks over to the bar, where he orders a drink.  

 

"John Ross,"  comes the voice of Marilee Stone from behind him.  He turns to face the woman.

 

"Well, Marilee,"  John Ross says.  "This night keeps gettin' better and better."

 

"I heard about your mother's wedding.  My congratulations.  I was hoping for an invitation to the wedding."

 

"Sorry, Marilee, but my mother's wedding was for fam'ly and friends only, and, you don't fit into either of those categories,"  John Ross says.

 

"I suppose not,"  Marilee rudely says, then walks away.  John Ross takes a sip of his drink.

 

Meanwhile, standing alone in a corner of the room, away from the crowd, is a man wearing a hat pulled down over his face, and a false mustache.  A disguised Jeremy Wendell is watching the evening's festivities, and the Ball's numerous guests with great interest, biding his time before revealing himself.

A restaurant in downtown Dallas....

Bobby and Ann are on the dance floor slow dancing when Cliff and Afton walk over to them.  "Bobby, Ann,"  Cliff says.

 

Bobby sighs deeply.  "Go away, Cliff."

 

"Friendly as ever, huh?  Well, I simply wanted to ask Ann about OUR daughter Emma?  Have you heard from her lately?"

 

"Yes,  I have.  She'd doin' just fine."

 

"Good,"  Cliff says.  "Interesting, isn't it, Bobby?  Your wife and I share a child.  Something that you'll never share with her."

 

"Cliff, let's GO,"  Afton says.

 

 

"Cliff, do you have to work extra hard at being the most obnoxious man on the planet, or does it just come natural to you?"  Bobby asks.

 

Cliff laughs.  "It's nice seeing the both of you, too," he says, then he and Afton walk away.

 

"One of these days, Cliff Barnes is gonna catch me in a really bad mood, and I'm gonna end up knockin' his teeth down his throat,"  Bobby says.

 

"Well, I'd like a ring side seat for that," Ray says as he and Donna walk up behind Bobby and Ann.

 

"Hi, Ray, Donna,"  Bobby says.

 

"Good evening,"  Donna says.

 

"Barnes bein' his usual obnoxious self?"  Ray asks.

 

"Always."

 

"How are you two doin'?"  Ann asks.

 

"We're a little worried,"  replies Ray.

 

"Worried about what?"  Ann asks.

 

"About Dylan,"  says Donna.  

 

"Dylan has, ummm, he's been drinkin'.  A lot,"  Ray says. "He's developed a serious problem with it, and we basically had to put him under house arrest.  Conner's at home with him now, and we're worried about leavin' 'em there alone."

 

"Oh, Ray, I'm sorry,"  Bobby says.  

 

"Is there anything we can do?"  Ann asks.

 

"I'm afraid not,"  says Donna.  "Dylan just has to fight through this, and, if he can't get sober on his own, we may have to look into professional help."

 

"I just hope it doesn't come to that," Ray says.

 

Across the room, Christopher and Courtney, Lucas, and Heather are chatting with an old friend of Christopher's when a photographer comes up to the group and asks to take a photo.  The four pose, the photographer snaps the picture, then walks away.

 

"Courtney, how does it feel attending your first Oil Baron's Ball as Mrs. Christopher Ewing?"  Heather asks.

 

"It feels amazing."

 

"Feels amazing for me, too, escorting the most beautiful woman in the world to the Ball," Christopher says.

 

"Hey, now, I say that my wife is the most beautiful woman in the world,"  says Lucas.

 

Christopher smiles.  "Well, there's no need to argue about it, little brother.  I would say that you and I are the two luckiest guys in the world, because we have the two most beautiful wives."

 

Nearby, the same photographer takes a picture of Alex and Bridget, then walks away after thanking the teens for posing.  

 

"Bored yet?"  Alex asks.

 

"Well, I've definitely been to more interesting parties," Bridget replies.  "And my Grandmother has barely taken her eyes off of us all evening."

 

"Doesn't she trust you?"  Alex asks.  

 

"I think it's YOU she doesn't trust."

 

Alex laughs.  "Well, how about we ditch this lame Ball and get out of here?"

 

"And do what?"

 

"We could go back to Southfork.  Have some time alone."

 

"I thought your cousins were home."

 

"Southfork is a big place,"  Alex says with a smile.  "There are lots of rooms, and since my Uncle Gary and Aunt Val left a couple days ago, the cottage is empty now.  We could have our own little party to ring in 2018."

 

"Alex Walton, I like the way you think,"  Bridget says.

 

"Great, then let's get out of here,"  Alex says as John Ross and Krystina walk up to them.  

 

"Hey, where you two goin'?"  John Ross asks.

 

"Bridget and I are gonna cut out."

 

"Oh, why?"  Asks Krystina.

 

"This party is a little lame for our taste.  A little too 'adult.'"

 

"In other words, you're bored,"  says John Ross.

 

"To tears,"  Bridget says.

 

"We thought we would just go back to Southfork and hang out with Jimmy and the kids for a while,"  Alex says.

 

"Alright, get on outta here,"  John Ross says.  "Be careful drivin' home, and.....after ya get there."

 

"We will,"  Alex says with a smile.  "Night."

 

"Night," Krystina says as the teens leave.  "I think Alex really likes her."

 

"Yeah, he does seem to, and, she seems like a nice girl."

 

"What happened between you and Tripp McKay earlier?"  Krystina asks.  "There's been this rumor going around that you threw a tray of pastries in his face or something?"

 

 

 

 

"Hmmmm, somethin' like that might've happened," John Ross says.  "But I don't wanna ruin this evenin' by talkin' about  the likes of Tripp McKay."

 

Krystina smiles.  "Neither do I.  I just wish I had seen it."

 

John Ross laughs, then kisses his wife.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Krebbs Ranch....

 Back at the Krebbs Ranch, Conner is still asleep on the sofa, while upstairs, Dylan is in his bedroom, continuing to drink from the bottle of bourbon he had taken from the liquor cabinet downstairs.  Dylan takes sip after sip until 

needs more.  Tossing the empty bottle onto the bed, Dylan looks around.  The room is spinning slightly due to his intoxicated state.  Needing more alcohol, Dylan leaves his room, staggering slightly, but still able to maintain control enough to be quiet as he slips down the stairs and peeks into the living room. Conner is still asleep.  Making his way to the family room, Dylan bumps into a wall, making a slight noise, which he is afraid will arouse his brother.  Pausing for a minute to make sure he hasn't awoken Conner, Dylan listens.  Then he goes into the family room, takes the key to the liquor cabinet from under the figurine and again unlocks the cabinet.  

To his dismay, the bottle he had just finished off was the last bottle of bourbon in the house.  Only soda water is left.  Almost panicking, Dylan closes the cabinet, then carefully makes his way back into the foyer and up the stairs.  What is he going to do?  He wonders to himself.  Ray had taken his car keys and he wasn't able to find them earlier when he searched Ray and Donna's room.  Taking a seat on the bed, he begins to cry.  But a thought comes to his mind.  Maybe Conner's keys are in his room.  Dylan almost falls as he stands to his feet.  Composing himself, he again leaves his bedroom and goes down the hall into Conner's room.  Walking in, he breathes a sigh of relief when he sees Conner's keys laying on the desk.  Walking over, he picks the keys up, puts them in his pocket, and being as quiet as possible, slips down the stairs again, almost falling a couple of times.  But he manages to make it out of the house and onto the front porch.  Pausing a second to compose himself, Dylan makes his way, with difficulty, down the steps and to Conner's car, parked in front of the house.  Getting in, he starts the car and drives off.

 

Back in the living room, Conner is almost aroused from his sleep by the sound of the car leaving, but he fails to fully wake up.  

The Oil Baron's Ball....

 Meanwhile, back at the Ball, most of the guests are on the dance floor, Bobby sharing a dance with Ann when he notices the mysterious man in the distance wearing a hat and glasses.  Unaware that the man he is seeing is actually Jeremy Wendell, Bobby feels that there is something familiar about the man.  

 

"Bobby, what is it?"  Ann asks, noticing her husband's preoccupation.

 

"I'm not real sure.  That man over there......"

 

Ann turns and sees the man her husband is referring to.  When he sees them looking in his direction, the man turns and walks away.  "The man wearin' the hat?"

 

"Yes."

 

"What about him?"

 

"I dunno, but, there's somethin' real familiar about him.  I've noticed him all evening."

 

"He does kinda stand out,"  Ann says.  "I mean, wearin' a hat to an event like this?"

 

"I know.   Maybe I'm just bein' paranoid, but there's somethin' about him."

 

Meanwhile, standing nearby with Krystina, John Ross also notices the mystery man watching him.  John Ross returns the man's gaze, and finally decides to make his way through the crowd and go over to talk to the man and finf out who he is.  But as he is about to do so, a group of people walk in front of him, impeding him.  When John Ross looks in the direction he had seen the man standing, he is gone.  

 

"John Ross,"  Krystina says.  "What's wrong?"

 

"Nothin', darlin'.  Nothin'."

 

John Ross looks all around the room through the crowd of guests but sees no sign of the mysterious stranger who had been watching him.  

 

Meanwhile, a disguised Jeremy Wendell steps into a hallways just outside of the ballroom.  He waits there a moment, until Tripp comes out of the ballroom.  Seeing Jeremy, Tripp walks over to him.  

 

"Your disguise is hardly inconspicuous," Tripp says.  

 

"I wasn't aiming for being incosnpicuous.  Just.......disguised until I'm ready to reveal myself, which will be any moment now."

 

Tripp looks at his watch.  "Almost midnight."

 

"Yes.  And there's no better way to begin a new year than to make a triumphant return."

 

 

"How exactly are you gonna do this?"  Tripp asks.

 

"Just watch and see.  You might learn a thing or two.  I'm sure you'll be surprised, and hopefully, pleasantly surprised."  Jeremy walks past Tripp and back into the ballroom.

 

Tripp waits for a moment, then heads back into the ballroom himself, where he and Justin come face to face with each other.  The two young men exchange angry looks, then Tripp walks away.

 

As the music stops and the crowd applauds the band, the Master Of Ceremonies steps onto the stage and takes the podium.  

 

"Ladies and gentlemen,"  the MC begins.  "Please, everyone please take your seat.  Thank you.  Thank you, and welcome to the annual Oil Baron's Ball.  My name is Tim Anderson , and I will be your Master of Ceremonies for this evening.  It is a great honor for me to be here tonight, on this stage.  My father, Marvin Anderson, who most of you knew as Punk, stood on this stage as Master Of Ceremonies at this event for a number of years.  Many of you will remember my father and my mother, and the undying devotion both had for the oil industry, as well as various charities around Dallas and the state of Texas.  Unfortunately, my mother was not able to be here tonight due to her health, but I know that she would be as proud as I am to see this crowd here tonight of her friends, and friends of my father.  As you all know, each year, proceeds from the sale of tickets to the Oil Baron's Ball goes to various charitable causes, and this year, at the suggestion of our Texas Railroad Commissioner, Donna Krebbs, the proceeds from this year's Ball will go to the American Alzheimer's Association, something that is very dear to my heart because of my own mother's diagnosis with this devastating disease.  Now, before we get on with the events of this evening, I would like to acknowledge a special donation that was given earlier this evening to the American Alzheimer's Association by a Mr. J.W. Williams. And, as I understand it, Mr. Williams is here with us tonight, and would like to say a few words.  In light of his very sizable donation, I think we can allow Mr. Williams a moment to speak to us.  So now, I turn the stage over to him.  Mr. Williams....."

 

As the crowd begins to applaud, a disguised Jeremy Wendell stands from his seat and makes his way to the stage, slowly ascending the steps to take the podium, shaking hands with Tim Anderson.  In the audience, Bobby and John Ross both look on curiously, wondering just who this mysterious J.W. Williams is, and watching intently as the man takes the podium and prepares to speak.

The Krebbs Ranch....

 Conner wakes up on the sofa at the Krebbs Ranch.  Picking up his cell phone from the floor in front of the sofa, he sees what time it is.  "Oh, wow," he says to himself.  "I must've been more tired than I thought."  Standing to his feet, Conner picks up the remote and switches off the TV, then leaves the room, heading upstairs.  In the hallway, he stops in front of Dylan's bedroom and listens.  All is quiet inside.  Dylan must be asleep, he thinks to himself.  He 

walks into the room.  "Dylan," he calls.  But the room is empty.  Dylan's bed hasn't even been slept in or disturbed.  Conner walks over to the bathroom door.  "Dylan," he calls again before entering.  Still no sign of his brother.  Leaving Dylan's room, Conner checks Ray and Donna's room.  Still no Dylan.  Conner then looks in his own bedroom, but his brother isn't there.  However, looking around the room, Conner notices that his own car keys are gone.  "Oh, no, Dylan," he says.  Rushing to the window, Conner looks out into the front yard.  Just as he suspected, his car is gone, obviously taken by Dylan.  "Damn it!"  He angrily says.  "Dylan, just wait until I get my hands on you......"

Meanwhile....

 Dylan is driving Conner's car down Braddock Road, the car swerving every once in a while, as the effects of the bottle of bourbon he had consumed is making Dylan more and more intoxicated by the minute.  By now, he has no idea where he is even going.  He only knows that he needs more booze.....

 

At the same time, another car is headed down Braddock Road, only in the opposite direction, as Alex and Bridget are on their way to Southfork, the two teens smiling at each other periodically at the thought of ringing in the new year together, alone.  As they near Southfork, Alex reaches over and takes Bridget by the hand, then leans over and kisses her, taking his eyes off the road for only a brief moment.  When Bridget looks up and sees a pair of headlights coming toward them, her eyes widen with fear.  "ALEX, LOOK OUT!!!"   She screams.

 

Turning his eyes toward, Alex sees the headlights of another car crossing into his lane and coming straight for them.  With barely time to react, Alex immediately jerks the wheel, swerving the car to avoid a head-on collision, but in doing so, he loses control of his car.  As both Alex and Bridget scream, the car crashes into a fence, and overturns in a large ditch, coming to rest on its side for a second, before falling back right side up.

 

Meanwhile, Dylan, who was driving the other car, swerves and runs Conner's car off the road and into the ditch not far from where Alex and Bridget had overturned.  As the car comes to a sudden stop in the ditch, Dylan is jolted and dazed.  Coming to his senses, he looks around.  The car has shut off.  He tries to start the car, and getting the engine started, he tries to back out of the ditch, but the car is stuck, its front wheels spinning.  Dylan gets out of the car.  It is then that he sees, just up the road, Alex's car overturned in the ditch.  "NO," he cries.  "Oh God, no......"  Barely able to stand, Dylan makes his way up the road to the car.  He then sees that John 

Ross's son Alex and a girl are in the car.  Both are unconscious.  "Dear God......no, no, no, no.  Oh God, what have I done?"  He cries.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Back at the Ball....

As the curious crowd of onlookers applauds their guest speaker, unaware that the mystery man on stage is really Jeremy Wendell in disguise, Bobby looks on, becoming more and more suspicious about this man by the second.  Sitting at the Westar table nearby, Tripp smiles, anxious for the moment his partner in crime reveals himself.  

 

"Thank you,"  Jeremy begins as the applause dies down.  "Thank you all very much for that, most gracious welcome.  And thank you, Mr. Anderson, for allowing me to say a few words to the assembled guests here this evening.  It was my great pleasure to make a very sizeable donation of twenty seven million dollars to the Alzheimer's Association." The crowd again gives a round of applause, forcing him to stop for a few minutes.  Jeremy continues:  "I see many familiar faces in this crowd, and some new ones.  You see, I've been away from Dallas for quite some time, and not by choice.  Dallas was my home for many years, and the oil industry was my driving passion.  Now, I suppose that most of you are wondering who I am, as I'm sure you don't remember J.W. Williams.  Not surprising.  Because you see, J.W. Williams is not my real name.  Those of you in this room knew me by my real name.........."  Pausing, Jeremy reaches up and takes off his hat, and then, to the shock of Bobby, Cliff, and everyone else in the room who knew him in the old days, his fake mustache, revealing his true face.  "You knew me as Jeremy Wendell."

 

 

 

 

"Oh my God,"  Bobby gasps.  "Wendell."

 

Back on stage, Jeremy continues.  "I realize that most of you are shocked to see me back, but I can assure you, I AM back, and I intend to once again be a driving force in this town, along with my new protege, a young man you all know......... Tripp McKay.........my grandson."  

 

Jeremy's revelation that Tripp is his grandson results in gasps and mouths falling open in shock all over the room, but no one present is more stunned than Tripp himself!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

END OF EPISODE 158....